By RUSSELL F. DENVER
The year 2009 was a busy one in Springfield for new construction by our business community and the federal and local governments. The construction has created hundreds of employment opportunities for Greater Springfield residents.
Russell F. DenverArea colleges - Western New England, Springfield and American International - are leading the way with new buildings and renovations to existing facilities which enhance their ability to attract more students who then spend dollars in our local economy.
Last year American International College spent more than $6.6 million renovating its athletic stadium, campus center, library and cultural arts center, constructing a new track and soccer field and completing its Campus Condominiums on Acorn Street. AIC’s investment is complemented by the State Street corridor redevelopment which is nearly complete. In the past eight years American International College has invested approximately $15 million in its campus.
Between 2008 and 2009 Springfield College invested approximately $47.3 million in campus projects including a wellness and recreation complex and an athletic training and exercise science facility.
Renovations were completed on the campus union, the Beveridge Center and the Fuller Arts Center. In 2010, the college will undertake an $8 million renovation to the Judd-Stitzer YMCA Center. Over the past 10 years, Springfield College has invested more than $110 million on upgrades, renovations and construction.
In the past 18 months Western New England College finished or started more than $63 million in construction on its campus. This development is highlighted by the new Southwood Apartments, a new academic building to house a School of Pharmacy, an addition to the law school and major improvements to athletic facilities. The new $43 million academic building will employ 200 workers to go along with the 162 new permanent full-time positions that the college has created in the past 10 years.
The investments by our private educational institutions are evidence of continued faith in Springfield as a place to do business and to future generations of students.
Other notable development projects in Springfield include an $8 million remodeling of Wal-Mart on Boston Road, $5 million in new housing on Clough Street being done by the YWCA, a $1.3 million grocery store at the corner of Pasco and Boston roads, $1 million for a medical office building on Wasson Avenue, the city’s new $4 million fire station on White Street and the $12.5 million homeless resource center on Worthington Street.
Baystate Health has begun construction of the “Hospital of the Future” with a total estimated investment of $251 million. The new hospital is due to open in 2012.
Along with the completion of the State Street corridor project there have been $3 million in infrastructure projects in the South End, completion of the clean-up work at the former Chapman Valve site in Indian Orchard and intersection improvements on Page Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue.
For those who say there is nothing good going on in Springfield, these investments are a clear sign that things are happening and that many people have faith in the city.
Russell F. Denver is president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield; you can learn more about the organization by calling (413) 755-1310 or online at www.myonlinechamber.com.

First of all AIC, Springfield College, WNEC and Baystate Medical Center can not pick up and move away so their choice is either to invest in Springfield or CLOSE. Those choices are is easy, build and expand to make what you have better regardless of location. There has been development of other medical offices in the area of Baystate Medical Center which has helped Springfield.

The other notable development projects remodeling of a Wal-Mart that sells made in China products to SPringfield residents, subsidized housing by the YWCA, a glorified convenience store selling to Springfield residents at Pasco Road, an overpriced fire station and a subsidized expansion of an existing homeless shelter. If that is what Springfield wants to be known as hurry for you.

Springfield will always be Springfield with high taxes and not much else going for it.